Varicose and spider veins are damaged veins. We develop them when tiny, one-way valves inside the veins weaken. In healthy veins, these valves push blood in one direction — back to our heart. When these valves weaken, some blood flows backward and accumulates in the vein. Extra blood in the vein puts pressure on the walls of the vein.
With continual pressure, the vein walls weaken and bulge. In time, we see a varicose or spider vein.
What is the difference between the small and great saphenous vein?
The great saphenous vein course ends in your upper thigh. That’s where your great saphenous vein empties into a deep vein called your femoral vein. Your small saphenous vein begins on the lateral end of the dorsal venous arch of the foot. This is the end that’s closer to the outer edge of your foot.
Endovenous laser treatment
Endovenous laser treatment can treat larger varicose veins in the legs. A laser fiber is passed through a thin tube (catheter) into the vein. While doing this, the doctor watches the vein on a duplex ultrasound screen. Laser is less painful than vein ligation and stripping, and it has a shorter recovery time. Only local anesthesia or a light sedative is needed for laser treatment.
Post time: Apr-30-2025